No, it is not legal for a UK care home, or any employer, to charge a candidate for the costs of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a visa application. This practice contravenes UK immigration law and guidance.
The Certificate of Sponsorship fee is a cost that the employer is required to cover as part of their sponsorship responsibilities. According to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) guidelines:
- Sponsorship Fees: Employers must pay the fees for issuing a CoS and cannot pass these costs onto the candidate. This includes both the CoS issuance fee and the Immigration Skills Charge (if applicable).
- Job Offer Requirements: Employers are obligated to offer fair treatment and follow legal practices in recruiting and hiring sponsored employees. Charging for administrative or sponsorship costs may be considered an exploitation of candidates and could jeopardize the employer's sponsorship license.
If a care home or other employer requires a candidate to pay for sponsorship-related administrative fees, the candidate has grounds to report this to UKVI or seek advice from employment or immigration specialists.
🍒Duces, Fabiola
If you have questions about my services do not hesitate to contact me at fm@kidaneconsulting.com.
